Kohler Highline vs Cimarron: Which One Should You Buy?

The Highline and the Cimarron are both lines of toilets from Kohler. In form and function, they’re pretty similar. But there are several key differences that might make one preferable for you. Still, there’s less separating these two toilets than they have in common.

Overall, the Highline is generally a better bet for the average homeowner. It’s more affordably priced, but it’s not lacking any features you’ll regret not getting. The Highline is an economical toilet that comes in 1.28 GPF, 1.6 GPF, and 1.0 GPF models. You can even get it with a dual-flush mechanism so you have a more powerful flush available when it’s needed.

But the Cimarron has a few nice features as well. For instance, you can get it in a one-piece design that doesn’t have a crevice between the tank and bowl to hold nasty messes that are difficult to clean. You can also get the Cimarron with skirted traps that are similarly easy to keep clean.

That’s the short story, but let’s take a closer look at these toilets so you can get better acquainted with both before deciding on just one.

At a Glance

Before we go any further, let’s quickly get a basic feel for these toilets with a run-down of their main specs and features.

Overview of Highline:

The Highline is part of Kohler’s main lineup of toilets. It comes in a wide range of sizes and finishes with a couple features that you can choose between, depending on the model of Highline you choose.

Toilet Bowl on a Budget

The Highline has become one of Kohler’s more popular models, and it’s easy to see why. It’s priced affordably so that it falls within the budget of the average homeowner looking to upgrade and replace their existing toilet. But you’re not sacrificing anything with the Highline, even though it’s affordably priced. It’s still available with most of the same features you’ll find on more expensive Kohler toilets.

Saving More Than Just Money

Today, people are more conscientious about their effect on the environment than ever before. One way that you can shrink your footprint is by conserving water, so many people are opting for low-flow fixtures, including toilets. If you’re looking to conserve water, the Highline offers several ways of doing so.

This toilet comes with three different flush volumes. You can get it with a 1.6-gallon flush, a 1.28-gallon flush, or a 1.0-gallon flush. It’s also available with a dual-flush mechanism that lets you conserve water when you can, but also provides extra flushing power for when it’s needed

Two-Piece Only

Though the Highline is available with many options, one option you won’t find is to get in a one-piece design. One-piece toilets are generally more hygienic and longer-lasting than two-piece toilets.

Overview of Cimarron:

Like the Highline, the Cimarron is available with quite a few different options. It’s a much higher-end toilet though, with an accompanying higher price.

Hygiene

Several of the features you can get on the Cimarron toilets allow them to be more hygienic and easier to clean than other toilets. For instance, you can get the Cimarron in a one-piece design. With a one-piece toilet, there’s no crevice between the tank and bowl to catch and hold filth and grime since they’re both one piece.

The Cimarron is also available with skirted traps. Generally, the back of your toilet around the traps where the toilet is shaped to accommodate the flow of water is a place where a lot of mess builds up. But with skirted traps, there are no nooks and crannies to hold onto that filth.

Long-Lasting

There’s another advantage to a one-piece toilet. They last longer. Two-piece toilets have a seal between the tank and bowl to prevent water from leaking. Eventually, that seal wears out and has to be replaced. Since they’re model-specific, they’re not always available.

Water Wasting

On the other hand, the Cimarron line isn’t as environmentally-conscious as the Highline models. The Cimarron line doesn’t offer any dual-flush models, which is surprising considering their higher cost. You also won’t find any Cimarron toilets with a flush that uses less than 1.28 gallons.

What are the Differences Between them?

Now that you know a bit about what each of these toilet lines offer, let’s take a closer look at the specific differences between them to figure out when each one is a better choice.

Water Conservation

Edge: Highline

If you’re looking for the most economical toilet, it’s definitely the Highline. You can get a Highline with a flush that uses just one gallon of water. The most economical Cimarron uses 1.28 GPF. Moreover, you can get a dual-flush Highline that gives you the best of both worlds. You’ll get an economical flush for standard use, but there’s a more powerful flush available for when you need it.

Price

Edge: Highline

The truth is, in many projects, the ultimate decision comes down to price. If you’re on a budget, the Highline will fit into that budget much easier. The Highline line is considerably more affordable than the Cimarron line. And truthfully, there’s not much in the Cimarron that seems to warrant the higher price tag.

Hygiene

Edge: Cimarron

Here, the Cimarron lineup takes the edge, but not every Cimarron model. If you’re most concerned about having a clean toilet with minimal maintenance, then the Cimarron is a better choice. You can get it with skirted traps that are easier to clean and don’t have nooks and crannies to hold onto grime and filth. The Cimarron also comes in a one-piece design that’s easier to keep clean since there’s no crevice between the tank and bowl.

Design

Edge: Tie

In reality, these toilets both look pretty similar. They’re just regular toilets. There’s not anything particularly special happening in the design department, which is actually a good thing. Now you’re free to choose between these models based entirely on their merits and features.

What the Users Say

We’ve held nothing back in sharing our opinions on these two Kohler models with you. But we aren’t the only people with thoughts on them. To make sure we’re giving you the whole picture, we’ve scoured reviews and forums to learn about the experiences that others have had with these toilets.

Some people seemed to think that the Cimarron was overpriced with one user even going as far as calling it overrated. But that seems to be a matter of opinion since we found other users who believed that it’s reasonably priced.

Several users commented on the powerful flush of the Cimarron, though others thought the flush was too loud.

Users of both the Highline and the Cimarron complained about the lack of a seat with their toilets.

Many people seemed to gravitate towards the Highline simply for the lower price, though the common sentiment was that they didn’t regret their decision since the quality of the Highline met or exceeded their expectations.

Another feature that many users seemed to like was the comfort height seating, which is available on both toilets. This feature makes the toilet much taller so you don’t have to sit down as far to reach the seat.

Even though the Highline doesn’t use much water, most users seemed satisfied with its flushing ability.

• Related Read: 10 Best Cheap Water Filters: Reviews & Top Picks

Conclusion

For most users, the Kohler Highline is going to be the better choice. It’s more affordably priced without lacking any features that you’ll miss. You can get it with an ultra-economical flush down to 1.0 GPF, and with the AquaPiston flush valve, you’ll still get a decent flush.

On the other hand, the hygienically obsessed should opt for the Cimarron. You can get it in a one-piece design or with skirted traps. Both features will help keep it cleaner and reduce the amount of effort you have to put into maintenance.

You might also like:

• 5 DIY Backyard Ice Rink Plans You Can Make This Winter (With Pictures)
• How to Winterize an In-Ground Pool (3 Key Steps)